Shingle conveyer



Oct. f7, 1952 w. H. ALDEN, JR; 2,612,984

Samana` CVEYR i original Filed Dec. 4, 1948 v 7 sheets-sheet r Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALBEN, JR 2,512,984

SHINGLE coNvEYER Original Filed Dec. 4, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

FIGA.

ATTORNEY.`

WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN* JR.

um IU n 4 (l Y 8 3 1( M N n t TE w 9 e Nw w e E u m WA n 6 y 1m A 2 n Y e h H s M .Lv Y W B W H ALDEN, JR

SHINGLE CONVEYER Oct. 7, 1952 Original Filed Dec. 4, 1948 INVENToR. w|| x |AM HYDE ALDEN,JR.. BY a g ATTORNEY.

'7 Sheets-Sheet 4 W. H. ALDEN, JR

SHINGLE CONVEYER Oct. 7, 1952 Original Filed Dec. 4. 1948 Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALDI-2N, JR 2,612,984.

SHINGLE CONVEYER Original Filed Dec. 4. 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR.

W Il lriAM HYDE ALDE N,J R.

ATTORNEY.

i INVENTOR. WILUAM HYDE ALDEN,JR. BY i Arm/mw.

'7 Sheets-Sheet 6 W H ALDEN, JR

SHINGLE CONVEYER Oct. 7, 1952 Original Filed Dec.

Oct. 7, 1952 w. H. ALDEN, JR

SHINGLE CONVEYER '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Dec. 4, 1948 inxamlmmmn INVENTOR. WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN,JR.

BY /M ZZZ;

ATTORNEY.

Patented ct. 7, 1952 SHINGLE CONVEYER William Hyde Alden, Jr., Bryn Athyn, Pa., as-

signor to Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,513. Divided and this application January 25, 1950, Serial No. 140,501

Claims. (Cl. 198--35) This invention relates lto an apparatus and process for handling sheet or slab material and,

more particularly, refers to a new and improved method and apparatus for collecting asphalt shingles into bundles as they are delivered from the cutter and collating them with wrapping material ready for tying. This application is a division of my` copending application, Serial No. 63,513, filed December 4, 1948.

In the industry, shingles are most commonlyr sold in a group of bundles, the aggregate number of shingles in each group being suilicient to cover a `given areausually 100 square feet ,of surface. for this coverage is 80 shingles which, due to diiculties in packaging and handling, are ordinarily divided into three bundlescontaining for example 26, 27 and 27 shingles each.

A number of devices have been suggested for collecting, stacking and wrapping shingles into bundles but all have at least one defect such `as requiring a relatively large amount of manual labor, frequent occurrence of error in number of shingles in a bundle, and slow operation.

As an example of a conventional method of bundling shingles, the shingles from a cutter are delivered to chutes, one for each lane of shingles, and thence to a belt conveyor which is sloped upward. If a four lane sheet is being run, there would be two belt conveyors each receiving shingles from two chutes. When a two lane sheet is run one belt conveyor only is used. The belt conveyors are operated at a speed to impart sufficient momentum to deliver the shingles horizontally to -suitable catch boxes which are open at the side for the removal of shingles. When about half a A typical number of shingles required boxes, an operator removes them manually and places them on a wrapper previously placed by him on a roller conveyor. A bell on the cutter is rung` by a counting device when the required number of shingles to compose a bundle has been delivered to the catch box and the operator then. removes the balance of the bundle and places it on the part of the bundle previously placed on theY roller conveyor. As the number of shingles of this type required per bundle is 27 for two bundles and 26 for the third, it is necessary for the operator to add a shingle from a spare pile to two bundles out of every three.` For three or four lane operation, two catch box operators are required, both making up bundles on the same roller conveyor. When the required number of shingles have been placed on the wrappers they are pushed by hand along the roller conveyor one at a time to a jog box. At this stage the shingles are not stacked evenly with each other. The jog box is pivoted so that the jog box operator can tip the bundle on edge and by ,shake ing the box when the shingles are on edge and manipulating the shingles with his right hand he evens up the bundle, after which, with an upward and forward motion of the jog box handle he restores the bundle to horizontal position and discharges it from the jog box onto a power equipment for continuously receiving shingles` from the cutting machine and automatically stacking the shingles in bundles and groups of bundles of the desired number ready for tying.

A further object `is to Vprovide an improved means of averaging out the total number of shingles in a group `of bundles when that number is not an even multiple of the number of lanes of shingles from the cutter by automatically pro--l viding each bundle with a number of shingles y which are an even multiple of the number of lanes.

with the correct average number of shingles per bundle and withthe variation in shingles between bundles not greater than the number of v lanes.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l diagrammatically represents the major items of equipment and the passage of shingles through my apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a partial isometric view illustrating the unitary operation of the assembled appara- Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cross-collecting table together with part of the multiple belt conveyor.

Fig. 4 illustrates a typical shingle with pushers disposed behind it to propel it forward.

Fig. 5 is a iront elevation of the cross-collecting table taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the cross-collecting table taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 shows part of the pusher mechanism of the cross-collecting table on a large scale.

Fig. 8 is an end View of the pusher mechanism taken on line 8--3 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is, on a larger scale and in partial section, a part of the pusher mechanism shown on Fig. '7.

Fig. '10 is a-plan view of an alternative form of cross-collecting table.

Fig. 1l is a front elevation of the crosscollecting table shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an end view of the cross-collectingv table shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the collecting `pocl-:.4

Vance to discharge the stack of shingles from the lane of lowest level onto the succeeding device, collecting pockets conveyor 3. The number of pushers and their disposition in the spaces between rollers of the cross-collecting table will depend on the size and shape of the shingle. The main crank shaft of the pusher mechanism is positively1 driven from the cutter and synchronized with the discharge from the cutter to correlate discharge of shingles from the cutter with the discharge of shingles from thecross-collecting table. v

Collecting pockets conveyor 3 is a Vertical conveyorcomprising a continuous chain passing over r sprockets above and below the position for receiving `shingles from cross-collecting table 2. Mountedon the endless chain are a series of equallyzspacedcollecting pockets each of which ets conveyor when viewed from the dischargeside of the cross-collecting table.

Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the collecting pockets conveyor taken on line llt-i4 of Fig. l2; Fig. 15 shows the escape mechanism of the collecting pockets conveyor on a larger scale'.r f

Shingles are ordinarily cut in various shapes from lengths of asphalticmaterial and the shingles from `the cutting machinedischarged usually at diierent levels onto a beltconveyor.

shingles -from the cutting machinereceived by a.

multiple. belt conveyor l,.are ,elevated to the level of and .dischargedgonto cross-collecting table?. Multiple .belt conveyor I maybe of any conventionaltype and will normallyhavetwo tail *shafts at diil'erent-levels with asingle head shaft driven from one of the. cutter shafts withtheproper ratiofor 'timing so that the shingleswill'be delivered to the cross-collecting table 2v at the same speed as ,theyaredelivered from the cutter "belts, v

Crosscollectingtable 2 basa top surface or platform composed of rollers arranged in lanes at successively `lower levels.

Interchangeable f tabletops with various numbers of lanesY and flane widths may be provided for each condition of shingleA production. The top of cross-collect# ing table 2.is` inclined ata-n angle in the direction'of the oncoming shingles,,approximately30 fromthe horizontal, permitting shingles enteringtheflanes of the cross-collecting table'to roll by grayityto the end ofthe table where they'come to rest against a stop: The dischargeof shinglesl fromthecutter and thespeed of multiple belt conveyor i arerelated to effect successive delivery of shingles; in staggered relationship, preferf ably with .about a '3'to 8 inchlag between shinglesj'irr successive-lanes, onto the lanes ofcrosscollecting table 2.

Thus, when a shingle in the lane of highest elevation reaches the end Aoi crosscollectingtable 2, pushers disposedbetween rollers and operating ata right angle to the direction` of delivery of the shingles advance to push the shingles from a region of higher elevationxor lanefot highest level on whichthe nrst shingle rests,fto succeeding lanes'of lower level on which..

movement of the pushers commence when-'tha' shingle in the lane of highest elevation is at the endof travel against the stop and the forward motion of thepushers is timedto arrive at each succeeding lane of lower elevation just subsequent;

to the shingle `on thatlane reaching the step at the end of the table.; Pushers-continue'their adw:l

delivered tolacollecting pocket `provision is 'Inadefor a-suiiiciently large drop'cf the pocketcon vveyorl tobringthe next pocket into receiving pof Y s'ition; "The collecting pockets may be adjusted f The neces- Y,

to take different widths of shingles. sary number ofshingles per bundle is insured by means of an escape mechanisrnrconsisting of ai :ratchet and pawl, operating'in the usual way.A

passingone tooth ofthe ratchet-for each reciprocatory motion of the pawl; however when one lecting DOcket to -move into position for receiving shingles. A-The receiving pocketmechanism is activated by gravity, at least one full pocketbeing in positionat all times to provide the necessaryA The pawl of the escape'` mechanism-is related to the movement of the pusher mechanism in the cross-collecting table 2.

unbalanced lweight.

Interchangeable ratchets may be lprovided for eachtypeof shingle .and number of shingles requiredper bundle. The teeth in each ratchetV are spaced to provide for thecorrect average number of shingles in the bundles resulting from one complete' revolution of the ratchet.

Collecting pockets conveyor 3 is tilted in such mannerthat the bases of the collecting pockets on the vreceiving side are inclined downwardly in a direction' at a right angle to the direction of the shinglesmoving into the collecting pockets. lTo vprevent shingles from sliding off the side-y of theinclined collecting pockets, an upright crossbargshoulder stationed adjacent the `side of collecting, pockets restrains .the bundlev of shingles thereon. ,This shoulder extends ferred to also as clamshell conveyor or bundle catcher.4

The clamshell conveyor has asits base, a suspended substantially horizontal curved roller platform `disposed adjacentl the discharge end of the stationary platform for receiving bundles of shingles from collecting pockets conveyor 3. Each bundle of` shingles discharged from the collecting pocket rolls by gravity onto the platform of the clam shell until it comes to rest by means of a stop at the far end of the platform. Contact of the bundle with a switch mounted on the stop starts an electric motor bundlefof shingles may if desired be placed on the `receiving pockets or on the tying conveyor or'a wrap-around wrapper may be placed on the tying conveyor in position to receive the bundles as deposited by the clamshell conveyor.

Fig. 2 illustrates an isometric view of my shingle collecting and counting device stripped of the `non-essential details of the structural supporting framework. Multiple belt conveyor I carrying 4 lanes of shingles on belts B, 1, 8 and 9 (number of lanes may be more or less) terminates in common head shaft II disposed adjacent receiving end of cross-collecting table 2. The staggered position of shingles I2, I3, I4 and I5 carried by` multiple belt conveyor I onto cross-collecting table 2 are indicated by dotted lines. As the shingles I2, I3, I4 and I5 roll down inclined cross-collecting table 2 onto respective lanes I6, I1, I8 and I9 maintained at decreasing levels they are stopped `when they reach the end of the table by angle iron 2I. Pushers 22 shownin their most forward position have just completed discharging a stack of four shingles onto collecting pocket of collecting pockets conveyor 3. Pushers 22 are then retracted to the rear of the table and then repeat the operation of advancing forward to Astack and push another group of four shingles onto -the receiving pocket. For greater time efficiency the forward motion of the pushers may commence `when shingle I2 has reached the end of cross-collecting table 2 since by the time pushers 22 have advanced across lane I6, shingle I3 will have, reached the end of cross-collecting table 2 and successively shingles I4 and I5 will reach their respective stops ahead of the cross pushers 22. l i

For clarity, a portion of collecting pockets veyor 4. The intermittent motion of collecting' pockets conveyor 3 is regulated by escape mechanism 3| connected to sprocket 23 by`means of gear 32 mounted on shaft 33 meshing with gear 34 mounted on shaft 35. Connecting rod 36 terminating in eccentric 5I mounted on shaft stop 38, not shown in the drawing, is a switch which when pressed by bundle of shingles 28 actuates a motor which causes sections 39 and 4I) to divide and section 29 which is pivotably mounted at and adjacent to pocket conveyor 3 to raise out of the way of section A4I) thereby permittingthe bundle of shingles 28 to drop down onto tying conveyor 5. Counterweight I31 or suitable power driven means may be employed for elevating section 29.

`One purpose of clamshell conveyor 4 is to permit the use of Wrap-around `wrappers in connection with automatic shingle collecting equipmentwhich hitherto to the best of my knowledge has not been possible of accomplishment. The wrap-around wrapper is more economical and protects the shingles better than other forms of wrapping such as backing board and cover. The

wrap-around wrapper m-ay be placed on counterweighted bars disposed directly beneath clamshell 4 either by `hand or automatically at the proper time to receive shingles from `clamshell conveyor 4. Normally, the counterweights on bars 50 cause them to remain elevated until a,

bundle of shingles 28 dropping through aperture between divided sections 39 and 4II lowers bars 50 until the bundle of shingles are engaged by wheels which carryvit away onto conveyor 60.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of cross-collecting ta'ble 2 together with the discharge portion of multiple` Shingles I2,` I3, I4and I5 in belt conveyor I. respective lanes I6, I1, I8 and I9 advance onto cross-collecting table 2 in staggered relationship on respective belt conveyors lanes 6, 1, 81 and 9 terminating in common head shaftII. IB, I1, I84 and I9 at succeeding lower levels are composed lof a series of rollers 42, 43, 44 and 45. The spaces between the rollers provide passage- Ways for pushers 22 moving at right angles to the direction of the entering shingles. Stop plate 2I halts the advance of the shingles when they arrive at the end of thev sloped cross-collecting table maintaining them in alignment andpreventing them from sliding off the table. Members 46, 41, 48 and 49 are the usual structural supporting members. gether with eccentric 5I mounted `on shaft 31 transmits reciprocating motion to escapemechanism 3 I, shown on Fig. 13, in synchronism and properly timed with the movement of pushers 22.

Fig. 4 illustrates the shape of a typical shingle 52 and one meth-od of arranging pushers 22 behind the shingle to advance it across cross-collecting table 2.

In Fig. 5 are shown the four lanes of rollers 42, 43, 44 and 45 at decreasing elevations onwhch are disposed shingles I2, I3, I4 and I5. The ends of the rollers are mounted in supports 53 supportedby member 54. Pusher 22 is shown in a forward position in solid lines and in retractedY Lanes Connecting rod `36 to-` tively iven from vand properly timed, with .the .1 1 y cutter? mechanism engages. sprocket 51 thereby; -v

eifecting rotation of shaft 56. The rotary movementfoftshaft is converted into yreciprocating motion `by meansvofy crank 59 mounted'von shaft f 58 which is pivotally attached to slidingnmember 62 by mea-ns of-pin 6| causing member 62 to slide,

back and-.forth in channel -63 of mainrank 61|.4 The lowerend of main shaft 64 is mounted on shaft 31 ontowhich latter eccentric 5| is` also mounted .thereby providingreciprocating. motion to rodV 36 connectedto the paWl-of escape mechaf nism 3|. .Extensionarin 65 is.. pivotally, attached.

to the ,upper end of the main crank 64 by pin82. Wrist p in. 1| connects arm 65 to link '.arm 69 mounted on shaftv 68 which in turnis supported by sleeve .El sliding back and forth` on horizontalf.,

guiderod 66. Pushers 22 arerisidly mountedon shaft-68. .-Retarding spring pressing against bar;6.1 'rigidlyattached to sleeve 61 delays the returnof sleeve 61 to afford .pushers 22 an `opportunity.' to be rst lowered before retraction` Typical structural framework members 48, 49, n

12, 13,7314 and`15l are provided for supporting cross-collecting table and its related` mechanism.

Figupresents another View of cross-collectingl table 2 and discharge end of multiple belt conveyor I showing. its common head shaft and conveyor belts `'I and 9.' On the top of crosscollecting'. table are members 53 which support rollers forming the four lanes onto which the shingles from multiple belt. conveyor I discharge.

Between the rollers at the top of the tableare pushers22. AjAt approximately the center of Fig;

6 may bev seen shaft 56 journalled in bearings '18 which latter are supported by frame member 8|.

Chai'n..5.6 driven from the, cutter turnssprocket 51 anxedto shaft'58. Arm 59 is attached at one end to shaft 58` and Yat the other end t-o pin 6| on which latter is mounted sliding member 62 which` slides. in` channel 63 .of'main crank` 64 thereby.

converting the rotary motion. of shaft 58v into an oscillating motion of crank 64. .Main crank 64 is pivotally. connected to connecting rod 65 by meansof pin 82. .Connecting rod65 in turn is pivotally-attachedto arm 69 by means of wrist pin .-1I .and arm. 63 in turn is rigidly mounted on shaft-,68 which in turn is aflixed to sleeve 61 (Fig-1), vWhichvlatter slides back and forth on rod ,66.v Pushers 22 are also affixed to shaft 68. In this manner rotary motion of shaft 58 is converted-.intoY reciprocatory motion for moving pushers12 2: back 4and forth in the spaces between rol1ers.42, 4.3, 44 and 45 composing the top of cross-.collecting table 2 and retraction of the pushers 22 out'of the path of the shingles on thefor fdrivingthe pushers is desirably geared dif rectly tothe cutters. ln any event the speed of the'pushers should be synchronized with the discharge rate vof shingles from multiple belt conveyor 7| Aonto cross-collecting table 2. The lower end Vof main. crank 64 is mounted on shaft 31 causingthe latter to revolve alternately clockwise and*A counterclockvvise in an incomplete circle. Shaft 31 imparts reciprocating motion to rod 36 by means ofeccentric 5| to which it is attached at onenendand connected at its other end to the pawl of escape mechanism 3 I.

Although the platform of cross-collecting table 2 is shown as composed of lanes of rollers in Fg.,5 ,it Vwill be yevident Vthat at surfaces or any.. Y

s ci

suitable support may.. be employed for,v supporte ing the shingles in lanes of descending level# Fig., 7: illustrates in greater detailpushers 22 ing shingles when beingI retracted. On guide .rod

66 mountedat its ends vin supports-84 is sleeve` K 61 which slides back and forth on rod. Shaft..

68 on which ypushers 22 are-rigidly mounted is carried'back and-forth with sleeve 61 by exten-,.... sion'i afxed to sleeve 61. Also rigidly mounted on shaft 63 islink arm 69 which in turn iscon.- nected to arm 65 by` means of wrist pin 1|. Afg fixed to link, arm 66 are bars or lugs 85 and and aixed to extension 1I) of sleeve 61 is bar81. When extension arm 65 is propelled in aforwardg. direction,.arrn 69 assumes a verticalposition. retaining that vposition byV bar `66 stopping, against. lug 81.- The upward movement of arm 6,9 causes. shaft 68 to-rotateslightly carrying with it pusher. 22 Whichthen alsoA assumes an upright position..

When connecting rod 65 moves vrearwardly it pullsarm 69 down toa relatively 4horirontal .position Where itis maintained by bar.85 stopping..

againstbar 81. The d-ownward movement-of arm 69 rotates shaft 68 counter-clockwise thereby causing-pusher r22 to assume-a lowered position out of the Way of the voncoming shingles i entering.cross-collecting rtable 2.`

To make certainthat pushers 22 areinlowered,` position before beingv retracted, a restraining. f.

spring 66' lpressing againstV bar-G1 attached to to its advance against the shingles.

Fig.` Srepresents anotherviewof Fig. .'l-showa ing shaft-66 on which is mountedsleeve '.61 and extension 1U. f 'Pusher 22 and `link arm -69 to Which ,is aixed bars '85 and v86 are rigidly at- .l

tached to shaft 68. yBar 81 remains in-iiXed posi.- tion on extension 10 of sleeve B1.

Fig. Qillustrates in further detail the arrange, ment for maintaining pusher 22 in upright and lowered position.l Bars -85 and. 86 attached to member. 69 rotate in the'direction of the movement of the pushers.- Bar 81 remainsfin nxeclf position. Since link arms 69 and-pushers'22 are both rigidly mountedon shaft 68, rotation; of

shaft 68 caused bytheforwardly and rearwardly movement of arm 69 Would likewise causepusher 22 to assume ,an upright or lowered'position. Thus bars 85, 86 and 81 act as stop means rfor maintaining. the pushers in a :relatively horizontal or vertical position.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated a plan view of` analter A native form of cross-collecting table showing. v head shaft at the discharge side ofy a multiple. y belt conveyor and belts 6, 1, 8 and 3 carrying shingles. I2, I3, I4 and I5 onto the cross-collecting table. Weightedidler wheels. |34 attached to arm.- |35, which latter is pivotally mounted g onshaft I35'which in vturn is mounted on support |36, press'against the topof the shingles being.. transferred from the multiple belt con-.f veyorto the cross-collecting table thereby. facilitating the passage of the shingles ina direct line onto the lanes of the cross-collecting tables- The cross-collecting table is divided in four. lanes.

designated by numerals 88, 89, 90 and 8|. Pushers, not illustrated in this figure, operate in a manner previouslyv described in connection with 1 `stopped by angle iron 91.

` pushers slots 92, 93., 94, 95 and 96.

the cross-collecting table in Figs. v3, 5, 6` and 7 by passing through passages 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 in a direction at right angles to the direction of the entering shingles. The entire cross-collecting table is tilted to permit shingles I2, I3, I4 and I5 to slide by gravity to the end ofthe tableuntil Each of the lanes 88, 89, 90 and `9| are provided with platforms in clined at an angle from the horizontal in such mannerthat the forward or leading side of one shingle isdisposed at a level above the hind side of the adjacent shingle in the next lane Fig. 11). Thus, as the pushers advance across the cross-collecting table through passageways 92,

93, 94 and 95, the shingles are superimposed one upon the other prior to their `discharge onto collecting pockets conveyor 3. The arrangement of the lanes and the position of the shingles thereon may be better seen in Fig. 11 which is a side l elevation of Fig. 10. Shingles |2, I3, I4 and I5 .1 rest on respective inclined platforms 98, 99, |0| and |02.

All the platforms in this type of arrangement may if desired be on a common level. The shingle supports making up the platforms may be a flat surface and need not be constructed of a series of rollers.

Fig. 12 is aside elevation of the alternativeform of cross-collecting table together with discharge end of multiple belt conveyor consisting of head shaft and belts 9 and Shingle I5 Ais employed' to support collecting pockets cond veyor` 3. 1

, In Fig. 14 is illustrated another view of collectd ing pockets conveyor 3 showing endless chain 24 .passing over upper sprockets 23 mounted` on shaft V|08 andlower sprockets 23 mounted on shaft 33.. Attached to endless chain `24 are a series of receiving pockets consisting of base 25 and back plate 26 lperpendicular to the base.

To accommodate different sizes of shingles, an

adjustable baciz'plate` 2s may be provided for different depthgof collecting pockets as shown in dotted lines in `Fig. `14:, or a double back plate 26 may be provided with the rear plate remain- `ing in fixed position and the forward plate `capable of being moved to the desired depth of pocket. 1 Shinglesv discharged onto receiving pocket 25 whenin receiving position are prevented from rolling oif the pocket by cross-bar 20.v

shoulder 21. As pocket 25 moves downwardly Vto the discharge; position the shingles thereon are no longer restrained by shoulder 21 and roll by means of gears" 32"and 34 `permit collecting is shown supported by inclined platform |02 dil vided into sectionsto permit pushers to pass through spaces 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 through which pushers move to discharge the shingles `from the cross-collecting tablev onto collecting pockets conveyor`3. Sections of platform |02 between pusher slots are tilted so as to prevent the forward edgesv of shingles from catching `in the i Collecting pockets conveyor 3 Vshown in Fig. 13 comprises a pair of continuous chains .24 revolving around spaced sprockets 23 and attached to chains 24 are a 'series of collecting pockets on which the shingles from cross-collecting table 2 discharge when a pocket is in receiving position. The base 25 of each collecting pocket consists of i' a series of twenty-four rollers |03 on which the `shingles rest; a perpendicular back plate :26 retains the bundle of shingles discharged thereon by pushers 22 of cross-collecting .table 2. As

- each groupof shingles depositson the collecting pocket in receiving. position, it moves intermittently downwardly asuiiicient distance to receive V' the next groupvof four shingles from cross-collecting table 2.

When the desired number` (24 or 28) of shingles to form asingle bundlephas `been deposited on the receivingpocket it drops out of the path of the `dischargelend of .crosscollecting table 2 and a` following 4collecting pocket moves into position adjacent the dis- -charge end for delivery of another small stack of shingles. An escape mechanism 3| operating in synchronism and properly timed with pushers 22 permits movementof the collecting pockets induced by the Weight of the shingles in the pockets .so Vthat the desired number fof shingles are placedin each pocket before anempty-.pocket is brought into position to receive shingles... The escape mechanism 3| comprises two'ratchets |04 `mounted on shaft with offset pawl |05 operat-` ing between the ratchets. `Ratchets |04 are keyed in place on shaft 35. `Ratchet shaft 35 is `:connected to lower sprocket shaft 33 by means of gears 32 and 34 ofc-suitable `ratio. -Suitable i structural framework designated by numeral I0]- pocket 25 to dropH a distance slightly greater than the height of four shingles. When Vpawl I 05 reaches that `portion of ratchet |04 with teeth missing a correspondingly` greaterrotation takes V,place causing the collecting pocket 25 to drop "away from` receiving position and the succeeding pocket 25 to come into `position for receiving shingles. As is evident, ratchets may be provided for Each type of shingle, number oflanes and number` required per bundle. Thel teeth in each ratchet ar'elspaced to provide the `correct average number ofshingles perbundle per revolution of theratchet. .l

In Fig. l5 may be seen an example of ratchet |04 with teeth arrangedin three groups, each group separated by missing teeth asindicated by crosshatching. -g'llhesecond ratchet (Fig. 2) has a full complement 1of teeth. The weight of shingles 28 inlfcollecting pockets 25 mounted on endless chains 24 (Fig. 2) tends to rotate sprockets 23.. meshed with endless chains 24 in4 a counterclockwise direction. f `Sprockets 23 geared to ratchet |04 are dependent `on, the latter `for their freedom to rotate. The rotation of ratchet |04 in turn is regulatedby pawl |05. At

the start of operation collecting i pockets conwveyor 3 is adjusted to disposean empty collectnecessaryweight for Vinitially inducing movement of thei'pockets. A group of shingles, lfor example four shingles, from cross-collecting table 21s then deposited on the empty collecting pocket 25 1n receiving position.v Rod 36 motivated by pushers 22 actuatesipawl |05 allowing ratchet |04 torotate the distance of one tooth 'thusper- .mitting the collecting pocket to drop a distance of about .theheight Aof fourshingles. A second groupof fourshingles isthen depositedon the `first group of shingles following which pawl |05 releases ratchet, .|04 to permit itito rotatethe distance of another tooth., `This operationis repeated untilall theteethin thegroup ofteeth yof ratchet |04` has `been passed by pawl `|105 where- `would be the same. 4number of. teeth in each group would give corshingles in eachbundle.

upon the ratchet rotates'a-distance corresponding to the number of missing teeth and `thereafter pawl v|V engages thei'lrst tooth of the following group of teethr The movement vof collecting pockets vdue to missing teeth between groups of teeth onratchet` |04 lis sufficient to drop collecting pocket 25 out of receiving position and advance the succeeding'pocket into receiving position. The number of teeth in each group may be identical in which case each Abundle of shingles 'Variations inthe relative responding relativediierences in the number of For example, assume three bundlestotalling 80 shingles are desired and that the cross-collectingtable is designed to deliver groups of four shingleseach to the collecting pockets conveyor.; The ratchet employed should then have three groups of teeth, two

groups having the same number of teeth and one Vgrouppsmaller by one tooth. As the ratchet I passes over the largerv groups of vteeth there Awill be `,delivered to the 'collecting pocket from the `cross-collecting'table seven small stacks of four shingles each for the rst bundle, i.e. 28 shingles;

rafter -whichthe loaded collecting pocket will :drop downA out of receiving position and ,a `suc- -ceeding collecting pocketwill move intoreceiving position due to missing teeth at the vend of the similar-f manner.

' fAlthough'inthe-foregoing description the apparatus and process;v has --been illustrated With reference to shingles it will be obvious that-other relatively ilat articles could be handled in a VWhile-'1 have illustrated -themajorgitems of A that-they may be `utilized individually or lin conjunction with other devices.y *For instance; the

' "--clamshell-conveyor lmay be employed toA drop stacks of articles on a conveyor with any suitable-feedingmeans-'for deliveringv the stacks to 5o ther clamshellconveyor.I 'Likewise; the -crosscollecting f-table and collecting; pockets'conveyor --may be'- adapted to--operatewith `devicesr other Y z. .thanithose illustrated.

. MA1-though preferred embodiments of the invention have been-disclosed-for purposes of illustra-l 1 .-tion, it will be levident that various changesv and modications may be-made therein without del vention.

I claim:

f1. fin-article` collectingand counting conveyor Ycomprising irl-:combination a-jcontinuous/` chain passing over` sprockets disposed above` and below posed atanelevation belowsaid receivingposi- U4tion, said collecting pockets' at'- the discharge .positionl being inclined at-an -angle to cause dis-. charge-by-gr'avity of the articles on the collecting pockets, an escapement adapted toregulate the movement oi" said collectingrpockets, and -means --ioractuating ytheescape mechanism to `permit JAintermittentmovement-'of said collecting pocketsi` 2. An article collect-ing and countingconveyor comprising a continuous chainpassing y=over sprockets-disposed above and below the position ----for receiving articles,- a series of spaced collecting pockets adapted to receive said articles mounted on said continuous chain, a discharge position of -said collecting pockets disposed at an` elevation below said receiving position, said collecting pockets at `the discharge position being inclined at an angle to cause discharge by gravity of the articles on the collecting pockets, an escape mechanism comprising a pawl and ratchet regulatingthe movement of said collecting pockets, said ratchet having a series of` closely spaced groups of 'teeth separated by wider spaces whereby each movement of said pawl when in-contact with` that portion of the ratchet having `the closely spacedteeth will permit said collecting pockets to drop a short distance to dispose the collecting pocket in-receiving position to receive additional articles and when in contact with that portion ofthe ratchet having a wide space will permit the collecting pocketcontaining the desirednumber of articles to drop out of receiving position, and meansV actuating .said pawl tov permit intermittent rotation of said ratchet.

3. An article collecting and counting conveyor `comprising a continuous chain passingV over sprocketsv disposed above and below-the position for receiving articles, a series of collecting pock- 4 ets adapted to receive said articles mounted on said continuous chain, said collecting pockets comprising a base composed of rollers parallel tothe line of delivery of articles and a back. plate `perpendicular to the length of the rollers,la discharge position of said collectingpockets disi posed at an elevationbelow said receiving position, said collecting pockets at the discharge position being inclined at an angle to cause dischargefby gravity; of the articles on `the collecting pockets, an:escapementadapted to regulatethe movement oiv Said collecting pockets,-. and

,. equipment, in my apparatus operating' irl-Com- .means for actuating the escape mechanism to I, Lbinationf onerbe apparent movement of Sad`-c911ecting i pockets.

: 4;.An 'article collecting and-counting--conveyor comprising a continuous chain passing` over 1 .sprockets disposedA aboveand below the .position -foitreceiving articles,:aseries of spaced collecting :pockets adapted'V to receiveA said s articles angle tothe direction of the articles discharging into the collecting pockets, a restraining shoulder stationed adjacent the :sides of the inclined .col- -.-.lecting-.pockets adapted to retain-the `articles ',i-thereonextending 'down to a point 'justabove the-discharge position of thecollectingzpockets.

'saidecollectingpockets atthe discharge position `f..ibeingrinclined.l at an angle tocause-discharge .fifbygravity of .the articles on the collectingpockets,1aanescape mechanism. adapted to :regulate `the movement of lsaidfcollecting pockets-.and

.- means for actuatingthe; escape-mechanismv to j n rpermit intermittent movement of said4 collecting pockets.

5.1-An article. 'collecting and. counting' appal-ratus comprising inscombination means` for-in- :..termittently .feeding articles to arconveyor, a

' conveyor comprising a continuous. chainr passing over lsprocketsydisposed above and below-:the position for 'receiving iarticles from saidrarticle zfe'edingxmeans, a'series ofA spaced .collectingpockets adapted to receive said articles mounted on said continuous chain, a discharge position of said collecting pockets disposed at an elevation below said receiving position, said collecting pockets at the discharge position being inclined at an angle to cause discharge by gravity of the articles on the collecting pockets, an escape mechanism comprising a. pawl and ratchet for regulating the movement of said collecting pockets and means actuating said pawl to permit intermittent rotation of lsaid ratchet in synchronism with the discharge of articles from said -feeding means onto said conveyor.

WILLIAM HYDE ALDEN, Je.

14 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,172,088 White Feb. 15, 1916 2,017,044 Graf Oct. 15, 1935 2,373,029 Kiesling Apr. 3, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 331,442 Italy Nov. 6, 1935 Germany Jan. 23, 1936 

